(BFW) *SANDVIK AB RATINGS MAY BE CUT BY S&P

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BN 01/09 16:13 *SANDVIK AB RATINGS MAY BE CUT BY S&P

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*SANDVIK AB RATINGS MAY BE CUT BY S&P 2014-01-09 16:13:33.152 GMT

--JULIE ALNWICK

-0- Jan/09/2014 16:13 GMT

>>> Rio Tinto Ltd Update: Bernstein names Top Pick for European Metals and Minin

Rio Tinto Ltd Update: Bernstein names Top Pick for European Metals and Mining
- Firm notes fundamental supply/demand forces have strong potential to keep delivering above-consensus commodity prices (SCBe vs. consensus +15%, +23% and +32% in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively) and Rio's cash generation to continue surprising the market. Top line surprises combined with Rio throttling back on capex will drive a gap between cash flow generation and outflows. Firm sees no reason why the resultant de-gearing of Rio's balance sheet should not see its dividend double. Rio offers 17% real return vs. nominal sovereign debt yield of 4%. Firm notes Rio has one of the highest quality industrial asset bases in the world and, importantly, it will be impossible to inflate away the Pilbara.

(BFW) Publicis Omnicom Wins EU Approval to Form Biggest Ad Company

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BN 01/09 14:20 Publicis Omnicom Wins EU Approval to Form Biggest Ad Company

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Publicis Omnicom Wins EU Approval to Form Biggest Ad Company 2014-01-09 14:20:53.506 GMT

By Aoife White and Heather Burke Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Publicis Groupe and Omnicom won EU approval to form the world’s largest advertising co., toppling market leader WPP. * Doesn’t pose antitrust concerns because customers for marketing communication services and media-buying services can easily switch to rival agencies, the EC said in an e- mailed statement today

Story Link:NSN MZ510U6KLVRT<GO>

For Related News and Information: First Word scrolling panel: FIRST<GO> First Word newswire: NH BFW<GO>

--Editor: James Ludden

To contact the reporter on this story: Heather Burke in London at +44-20-7673-2044 or hburke2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Ludden at +44-20-7673-2645 or jludden@bloomberg.net

(BFW) *DRAGHI SEES DOWNSIDE RISKS TO ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

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BFW 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS REAL INCOMES BENEFIT FROM LOWER ENERGY PRICES BN 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI: MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE POTENTIAL TO WEIGH ON ECONOMY BFW 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS BALANCE-SHEET ADJUSTMENTS WILL WEIGH ON ACTIVITY BFW 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS HIGH BN 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS BALANCE-SHEET ADJUSTMENTS WILL WEIGH ON ACTIVITY BN 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS HIGH BN 01/09 13:36 *DRAGHI SAYS REAL INCOMES BENEFIT FROM LOWER ENERGY PRICES

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*DRAGHI SEES DOWNSIDE RISKS TO ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2014-01-09 13:36:29.235 GMT

--JANA RANDOW

-0- Jan/09/2014 13:36 GMT

>>> US Gapping down

Gapping down

In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance: MATR -20.9% (also noted uncertainty regarding its relationship with Vangent (GDIT) persists; announced record Predictive Behavioral Routing activity), CALX -10.9%, PIR -9.9% (reported Dec comparable store sales increased 1.3% YoY; lowers Q4 EPS guidance ), BBBY -9.5%, FDO -7.5%, ZUMZ -7.4%, VOXX -5.4%, EXFO -4.2%, (EXFO renews normal course issuer bid), QDEL -3.9%, AEO -3.8%, LB -3.7%, (ticking lower, reports Dec same store sales +2.0% vs +1.7% Retail Metrics consensus; lowers Q4 EPS guidance), ROVI -3.3%, APP -2.9% (light volume), WDFC -0.7% (light volume).

Other news: PLUG -15.8% (attributed to cautious blog comments), YRCW -14.3% (may be attributed to Teamster Group voting; just over 20K votes cast so far, according to reports ), AEZS -11.6% (announces proposed public offering of common shares and warrants), VRS -9.3% (modestly pulling back), IDN -8% (prices 7.78 mln shares of common stock at $0.45 per share), QIHU -4.3% (Qihoo 360 Tech. has denied reports that Alibaba has taken stake in the company, according to new reports out), . BXMT -2.4% (prices public offering of 8.5 mln shares of its class A common stock; total est gross proceeds of the offering are $227.4 mln), DG -2.3% (following FDO results), TWTR -2.2% (still checking), DEO -2.2% (still checking), WSM -2.1% (following BBBY results), GOLD-1.6% (still checking), VRTU -1% (prices follow-on offering of 2.3 mln shares of common stock at $34.50 per share), AGU -0.1% (announces strategic review of Agrium Advanced Technologies: to transition to two Strategic Business units ).

Analyst comments: ALU -4.6% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank), ARMH -4.5% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank), FNFG -2.1% (downgraded to Underperform from Buy at BofA/Merrill), WLT -1.6% (downgraded at Cowen), TWTR -1.5% (initiated with an Underperform at Cowen), NVDA -1.3% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord Genuity), YUM -1.2% (downgraded to Equal-Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley), ANR -1.1% (downgraded at Cowen), PDCO -0.9% (Patterson Companies downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel), STM -0.8% (downgraded to Sell from Hold at Deutsche Bank), XOM -0.5% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup)

>>> US Gapping up

Gapping up

In reaction to strong earnings/guidance/SSS: M +6.7%, (outlines cost reduction initiatives to support continued profitable sales growth, upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at BMO Capital Mkts), MG +6.5%, NVMI +5.8%, (receives over $20 million in orders from several leading foundries; expects Q4 results to fall in the higher range of its guidance), ITMN +4.4%, FRED +4.2%, (engages financial advisors to explore strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value; guides Q4 EPS below consensus), SVU +3.1%, (ticking higher), RT +2.3%, EHTH +2.3%, COST +1.3%, URBN +0.3%, (reports 2 month Holiday comparable sales +3% YoY), .

M&A news: MCK +4% (McKesson makes best and final offer for Celesio, increasing offer price to EUR 23.50), FNSR +0.2% (Finisar to acquire u2t Photonics AG).

A few Brazil names are higher: OIBR +3%, CZZ +1.7%, TEF +1.6%, BBVA +1.5%

Other news: ICPT +114.1% (01/09 announces NASH Primary endpoint met: FLINT trial stopped early for efficacy based on highly statistically significant improvement in liver histology), CRDC +57.4% (receives 510(k) Clearance For MicroCutter XCHANGE 30 Cutting/Stapling Device), SQNM +13.8% (announces issuance of European patent for novel methods of detecting fetal aneuploidy),SGMO +13.6% BIIB +0.7% (Biogen Idec and Sangamo announce exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement focused on the development of therapeutics for hemoglobinopathies, inherited conditions that result from the abnormal structure or underproduction of hemoglobin), FRO +10.6% (still checking), TGB +4.2% (announces 35% increase in annual copper production), GALE+4.2% (continued strength), FRX +3.5% (Barron's profiles positive view on Forest Labs), YPF +2.9% (following late sell-off), ATHX +2% (has been granted patents from the Japan Patent Office for several inventions involving its proprietary cell therapy technology), NOK +1.7% (still checking), ACT +1.6% (generic version of Micardis receives FDA approval), GSK +1.5% (gains accelerated FDA approval for combination use of Mekinist and Tafinlar ), RYAAY +1.3% (still checking), JWN +1.2% (following M guidance/news), GG +1.2% ( achieves 2013 gold production forecasts; record Q4 production), F +1% (Increases Quarterly Dividend 25% in 2014 Q1 to $0.125/share, up from $0.10/share), DDD +0.9% (announced that will.i.am, global entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, joined 3DS as its Chief Creative Officer), NVS +0.6% (higher despite Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has filed a lawsuit; also may face Japan probe over its drug advertising, according to reports), BMY +0.5% (Bristol-Myers and AstraZeneca confirm FDA approval of Farxiga), AMZN +0.5% (reports more than a billion units worldwide were ordered from Marketplace Sellers this year), AIG +0.4% (extends tax asset protection plan), S +0.3% (spiked into the close on TMUS halt, downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Ban).

Analyst comments: ANGI +7.3% (upgraded to Strong Buy from Outperform at Raymond Jame), WWAV +3.3% (ticking higher, upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Longbow), JCP +3.1% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray ), REXX +1.7% (initiated with a Outperform at Northland Capital), RVBD +1.4% (upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies), DD +1.4% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill), MCD +1.1% (upgraded to Overweight from Equal-Weight at Morgan Stanley), JNJ +0.6% ( upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies), AET +0.4% ( upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse)

(BN) *AMERICAN EAGLE SEES 4Q EPS 26C, SAW 26C-30C, EST. 29C

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BN 01/09 13:03 *AMERICAN EAGLE 9 WEEK PERIOD ENDED JAN. 4 COMP SALES DOWN 7% BFW 01/09 13:03 *AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS HOLIDAY COMP SALES UP 7% BN 01/09 13:02 *AMERICAN EAGLE SEES 4Q EPS 26C, SAW 26C-30C, EST. 29C BN 01/09 13:02 *AMERICAN EAGLE SEES 4Q EPS BOTTOM END OF PRIOR VIEW 26CC-30C BN 01/09 13:02 *AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS SEES 4Q EPS 26C BN 01/09 13:02 *AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS 4Q COMP SALES UP 7% BN 01/09 13:02 *AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS PROVIDES 4Q UPDATE

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American Eagle Outfitters Provides Fourth Quarter Update 2014-01-09 13:02:00.143 GMT

American Eagle Outfitters Provides Fourth Quarter Update

Business Wire

PITTSBURGH -- January 9, 2014

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) today announced that total net revenue for the nine week period ended January 4, 2014 decreased 2% to $882 million, compared to $904 million for the nine week period ended December 29, 2012. Consolidated comparable sales decreased 7%, compared to a 5% increase for the comparable period last year. Comparable sales are compared to the nine week period ended January 5, 2013. The company expects fourth quarter EPS to be approximately $0.26 per diluted share, on the bottom end of the previous EPS guidance of $0.26 to $0.30 per diluted share. The guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges.

Robert Hanson, CEO, commented, “Following a solid Thanksgiving weekend, traffic and sales through Christmas week were on the low end of our expectations and the retail environment was highly promotional, pressuring margins and EPS. Our post-Christmas clearance event is meeting our expectations and we expect to end the year with inventories on plan. We are intensely focused on making fundamental improvements to our business as we adapt to a fast-changing retail landscape.”

The company will release fourth quarter and annual 2013 fiscal results prior to the market’s open on March 11, 2014 and will host a conference call to review financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on that date.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle Outfitters® and Aerie® brands. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie merchandise also is available at 66 licensed international franchise stores in 12 countries. For more information, please visit www.ae.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, specifically regarding fourth quarter 2013 results. All forward-looking statements made by the company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors beyond the company's control. Such factors include, but are not limited to the risk that the company’s operating, financial and capital plans may not be achieved and the risks described in the Risk Factor Section of the company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied will not be realized.

Contact:

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. Kristen Zaccagnini, 412-432-3300

-0- Jan/09/2014 13:02 GMT

RTR : China's Qihoo 360 denies Alibaba to take stake in company

China's Qihoo 360 denies Alibaba to take stake in company
Jan 9 (Reuters) - Chinese Internet company Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd denied on Thursday that e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd would take a stake in the company after its shares surged almost 10 percent on Wednesday on speculation the two were in talks.
"These are rumours someone has made up," said Qu Xiaodong, vice chairman of Qihoo, which has a market capitalisation of $10.93 billion and specialises in security software and is China's second-largest search engine by users.
Alibaba, which is gearing up for an IPO that could conservatively value the company at more than $100 billion, said it does not comment on rumours or speculation.
Qihoo shares shot up 9.3 percent on Wednesday on rumours the two companies were in the advanced stages of discussions for Alibaba to take a stake in Qihoo.
Alibaba and Qihoo have cooperated in the past, having launched a product search engine for online shopping in May last year.
Qihoo has already captured 22.5 percent of China's search engine market as of December since breaking on to the scene in 2012, according to Alibaba-owned Internet data analysts CNZZ.
It is second only to Baidu Inc, whose search engine market share in China fell to 63 percent as of December from 80.4 percent in August 2012, when Qihoo launched its own search product.